Rhinoliths causing palatal perforation: case report and literature review

Rhinoliths are calcified masses formed within the nasal cavity because of the solidification Of Mucus, debris, or foreign objects by gradual accretion of mineral salts. They are mostly asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed, although some patients may complain of nasal discharge and obstruction. Ulceration of the nasal mucosa, facial swelling, and bone destruction are less frequently observed but bring about difficulties for differential diagnoses with several pathologic entities. This article presents a case of a 54-year-old woman with a rhinolith causing palatal perforation, focusing on the diagnostic process and histopathologic characteristics.1046E40E4

FAS and ErbB2 expression in early local recurrent oral cancer

BACKGROUND: Local failure occurs in 13.9-62.6% and it is a well known indicator of poor prognosis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), despite aggressive treatments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of histopathology and molecular biomarkers in predicting the development of early local recurrence. METHODS: This study included a total of 69 patients. There were 23 patients with early recurrent OSCC and 46 patients without local recurrence with the same clinical stage and tumor site, in a pair-matched study design. Their charts were retrospectively analyzed. All surgical specimens of the primary tumors were evaluated according to the system proposed by Anneroth et al. and immunohistochemical for ErbB2 and FAS were performed. RESULTS: A significant correlation of early local recurrence with grade of histological malignancy (more than 15 points) was observed (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.03). Early local recurrence was also significantly associated with weak FAS expression and strong intracytoplasmic ErbB2 staining (Mantel-Haenszal chi-square, P = 0.0038 and P = 0.0068, respectively). Histological grade of malignancy (more than 15 points) was also correlated with reduced survival (log-rank, P = 0.06). Among the histopathological parameters, keratinization, pattern of invasion and inflammation were important for overall survival (log-rank, P < 0.0001). Regarding the biomarkers, only FAS was significantly associated with overall survival (log-rank, P = 0.0002). Moreover, a positive correlation of FAS and membrane ErbB2 expression with keratinization was noticed. CONCLUSION: Histopathological characteristics and the expression of FAS and ErbB2 carry prognosis importance in local recurrence and overall survival in OSCC. J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 176-18139217618